I read one review (not sure on what website that was) that one has to pay for parking here ($15) and that there are picnic tables here. Neither of these statements are true. There is no fee for parking and there are also no picnic tables. We got off the 101 to have our lunch here. It's OK. The parking lot is a decent size, there's a restroom and besides that there's a giant piece of green where the young ones play football etc. We sat on a towel on the grass and it was fine. There are a few bentsches but they are directly facing the playing fields. Another reason one may wish to stop off here is if one likes walking and being out in the open. There's a trail perhaps a few miles along running along Carpinteria with views of the mountains on one side and open fields/bushes and on the other the ocean; passing the seal sanctuary and much further. read more